The painting is a view overlook the River Thames as the sun sets on the left balanced with the Houses of Parliament and the clock tower, Big Ben, to the right. Goodwin was a great admirer of the artist J M W Turner, whose influence can clearly be seen in his often painted subject of light and shadow at sun rising or setting.
Color plays a big part in this landscape painting with the heat of the sun in red and yellow, to the coolness of the blue sky, and the darkness contrasting of the buildings.
Directions of lines in composition strongly move horizontally, with sharp contrast of vertical buildings.
Small dabs and dashes of organic forms found in the sky and water pattern produce a repetitive rhythm contrasting to the heaviness of the dark buildings that seem static.
Composition of painting horizontally almost divides the landscape into equal horizontal parts - one that shows the sun setting on Parliament and this world, as compared to the heavenly world above, the open sky.
The painting is a celebration of primary colors - blue, red and yellow
Sketchbook Journal entries
On a weekly basis, each student will add to a growing ‘visual library’ from found examples from the painting world.
Each student will be responsible for finding and depositing four examples into their sketchbooks each week. Thus, by the end of the term the student should have collected a minimum of 60 painting examples.
Examples may be gathered from magazines, websites, etc.
The examples will include historical and contemporary visual works from any painting practice.
The examples may include printed forms or electronic files.
Keep track of the period in art history to research and when each are due.
Methods
Found visual examples will be deposited into your journal on a weekly basis and number 1/60, 2/60, 3/60... 59/60, 60/60.
Provide bibliographical source material, noting ARTIST, TITLE, YEAR, DIMENSIONS, MEDIA and URL link source, bibliographic information.
Make a number of notes that thoroughly describe the fundamental elements of the visual application.
Elements of design to be studied
frame
point/line
plane
shape
space
form
color > hue, value, saturation, intensity
pattern + texture
composition
time + transformation
Principles of design to be studied
focal point > emphasis > organization > placement
figure / ground relationships
color systems > temperatures > psychology of
organization > compositional practices > unity
balance > portion + scale
movement
contrast
weight
how is media being handled
By the conclusion of the semester, each student will have a collection of found examples numbering 50 minimum.
Previous students' journal entry examples
1/50 =
Claude Monet
Haystacks at Summer’s End
1891
oil on canvas
16” x 24”
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